Each magistrate shall be(a) Effective January 1, 2015, a
person is qualified to serve as a magistrate if he or she:

(1) Is at least twenty-one years of age; and

(2) Has any of the following qualifications:

(A) An associate’s or higher degree from an accredited
college or university;

(B) A minimum of four years of experience as a magistrate;
or

(C)Shall have served for a minimum of four years as a law
enforcement officer; or

(D) shall haveAt least a high school education or its
equivalent for persons holding the office of magistrate on
January 1, 2015;

(3)shall not haveHas not been convicted of anya felony or
any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; and

(4)resideResides in the county of his or her election.

(b) No magistrate shall be a member of the immediate family
of any other magistrate in the county. In the event more than
one member of an immediate family shall be elected in a county,
only the member receiving the highest number of votes shall be
eligible to serve. For purposes of this section, “immediate
family” means the relationship of mother, father, sister,
brother, child or spouse. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this section, each person who held the office of
justice of the peace on the fifth day of November, one thousand
nine hundred seventy-four, and who served in or performed the
functions of such office for at least one year immediately prior
thereto shall be deemed qualified to run for the office of
magistrate in the county of his residence.

(c) No person shall assume the duties of magistrate unless
he shall have first attended and completed a course of
instruction in rudimentary principles of law and procedure which
shall be given in accordance with the supervisory rules of the
supreme court of appeals.

(d) All magistrates shall be required to attend such other
courses of continuing educational instruction as may be required
by supervisory rule of the supreme court of appeals. Failure to
attend such courses of continuing educational instruction without
good cause shall constitute neglect of duty. Such courses shall
be provided at least once every other year. Persons attending
such courses outside of the county of their residence shall be
reimbursed by the state for expenses actually incurred in
accordance with the supervisory rules of the supreme court of
appeals.

(e) Each magistrate shall, before assuming the duties of
office, take an oath of office to be administered by the circuit
judge of the county, or the chief judge thereof if there is more
than one judge of the circuit court. Each magistrate shall
maintain the qualifications for office at all times.

(f) Each magistrate who serves five thousand or less in
population shall devote such time to his public duties as shall
be required by rule or regulation of the judge of the circuit
court, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge
of the circuit court. Each magistrate who serves more than five
thousand in population shall devote full time to his public
duties. As nearly as practicable, the workload and the total
number of hours required shall be divided evenly among the
magistrates in a county by such judge.”